VIA Releases Open Source OpenBook MiniNote Reference Designs as Creative Commons CAD Files

VIA has just released their reference designs for a ultra-portable notebook under a creative commons license. That means you’re now free to print out your own VIA OpenBook, make changes to the designs and specifications, and redistribute them afterwards. From VIA:

The VIA OpenBook features a flexible internal interface for high-speed
broadband wireless connectivity that provides customers with the
ability to select from a choice of WiMAX™, HSDPA and EV-DO/W-CDMA
modules appropriate to their market. In addition, under a unique
collaborative approach, the CAD files of the external panels of the
reference design are offered for download under a Creative Commons
Attribution Share Alike 3.0 license to give customers such as OEMs,
system integrators, and broadband service providers greater freedom in
tailoring the look and feel of their device to meet the diverse needs
of their target markets.

This is an awesome idea, and VIA seems to be executing it perfectly. Now, instead of purchasing a stock 9 inch laptop, a person can design their own and have it built extremely cheaply. Hardware manufacturers have a simple license for a small notebook to base their designs off of. Customer’s get better prices because of lower overhead for design and copyright protections. Everyone wins.

Great job VIA! Now just get your graphics cards to work with compiz and I’ll never buy from another company again!

Related in Cahoots:

1. Cylon coffee maker — Make your own Cylon using open source hardware…